In the world of boxing, the much-anticipated rematch between Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Dmitry Bivol, the WBA light heavyweight champion, appears to be fading into the realm of unlikely dreams, according to Vadim Kornilov, Bivol’s manager.

Back in May 2022, Canelo boldly moved up to the 175-pound division to challenge Bivol, but the outcome was far from what he had hoped for. Over twelve rounds, Bivol showcased his boxing prowess, earning a convincing unanimous decision victory. Witness the boxing world champions in action with attractive betting odds from Nextbet. 

In the aftermath of this clash, Canelo voiced his determination to seek redemption through a rematch with Bivol. However, despite the promising talks, the second showdown never materialized. Canelo returned to the super middleweight category, focusing on defending his undisputed title against formidable opponents like Gennadiy Golovkin and John Ryder.

The key stumbling blocks preventing the rematch were issues surrounding finances and contract weight. Bivol, eager for a chance at Canelo’s undisputed crown, was willing to drop down to 168 pounds for the opportunity.

Kornilov, Bivol’s manager, expressed the readiness of his fighter for a second encounter. However, he shed light on the fact that Canelo’s interest in a rematch appeared to be more talk than action.

“Canelo mentioned Dmitry’s name on many occasions as the most prioritized opponent, and instead he fought with others like Gennadiy Golovkin, John Ryder. He constantly mentioned that he wanted to take revenge. But in fact, he did not want it: politically and from a sporting point of view. He’s not interested [in a second fight],” Kornilov revealed.

Kornilov further highlighted Canelo’s performance in their initial bout, where the Mexican fighter struggled and lost most rounds. He questioned the rationale behind a rematch when there seemed to be little for Canelo to gain.

In the end, despite the anticipation and hopes for a sequel, the Canelo vs. Bivol rematch seems to have slipped away, leaving boxing fans wondering about the missed opportunity for another epic showdown in the ring. Get the latest updates from the world of boxing only on Nextbet Sports.